shekel
UK[ˈʃɛk(ə)l]US[ˈʃɛk(ə)l]
n
the basic unit of money of modern Israel
n
an ancient silver coin used by Hebrews
Etymology
The word 'shekel' is a direct borrowing from the Hebrew שֶׁקֶל (sheqel), which itself derives from the root verb שָׁקַל (shaqal), meaning "to weigh". This origin reflects the ancient practice of using precious metals by weight as currency. The term entered the English lexicon primarily through Biblical translations, where it referred to a specific weight and silver coin used in the ancient Near East. Its modern revival as the name for Israel's currency in 1980 consciously reconnects the nation's contemporary economy with its historical and cultural heritage, transforming an ancient unit of weight into a symbol of modern sovereignty.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Hebrew (שֶׁקֶל, sheqel), meaning "weight". It entered English via the Hebrew Bible. Its functional role is as a noun denoting a specific unit of currency.
Examples
The ancient artifact was valued at fifty silver shekels.
The cost of the souvenir was twenty new Israeli shekels.
His offer was dismissed as not worth a single shekel.